Carl Ahrens
The woods at Big Trees, the Ahrens family farmhouse near Galt, Ontario

Family Photographs

Two young boys holding hands in a studio portrait, circa 1864, Berlin Ontario — Carl Ahrens is the younger boy on the right
Carl Ahrens at around age 2 – he is the younger of the boys in this photo. Picture likely taken in Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario in 1864. The older boy's identity is unknown as Ahrens was an only child.
Young Carl Ahrens in the early 1870s in Berlin, Ontario
Carl Ahrens in the early 1870s in Berlin, Ontario.
Carl Ahrens in the late 1870s, portrait photograph
Carl Ahrens in the late 1870s.
Carl Ahrens standing with arms crossed in a studio portrait, circa 1880, wearing a bowler hat
Carl Ahrens in about 1880. This photo was likely taken during his time out west, though possibly in Hamilton, Ontario, before he left.
Carl Ahrens in the Dakota Territory in the late 1870s
Carl Ahrens in the Dakota Territory, late 1870s.
Carl Ahrens as a young man, portrait photograph taken in Toronto in the 1890s
Carl Ahrens as a young man in Toronto in the 1890's.
Carl Ahrens seated in his studio with Samuel Warner, Director of Art at Roycroft, East Aurora NY, circa 1900
Carl Ahrens (seated) in his studio with Samuel Warner, the Director of Art at Roycroft. East Aurora, NY. Taken around 1900.
Carl Ahrens in his Roycroft studio in East Aurora, NY, 1900
Carl Ahrens in his Roycroft studio in East Aurora, NY — 1900.
Carl Ahrens leaning against a tree at Roycroft in East Aurora NY in 1900, with his cousin Eleanor Douglass beside him
This photo was taken at Roycroft in East Aurora, NY in 1900. Carl Ahrens is the man leaning against the tree. Beside him is his cousin, fellow artist Eleanor Douglass. This photo is used courtesy of the collection of Robert Rust/Roycroft Associates – 2/R Fine Arts
Emily Ahrens (without hat) seated with a friend outdoors, circa 1910, both women laughing
Emily Ahrens (without hat) and a friend circa 1910. Emily was Carl Ahrens' first wife, whom he left in late 1905. Photo from the collection of Betty Purdell.
Robert Laird Ahrens and Carl Herman Ahrens in WWI-era military uniforms, studio portrait
Robert Laird Ahrens and Carl Herman Ahrens, Carl's sons from his first marriage to Emily Carroll. Photo taken during WWI. Image used courtesy of Gary and Jeanette Ahrens.
Martha Niles (Madonna), portrait circa 1900
Martha Niles (Madonna), circa 1900.
Carl Ahrens standing outdoors in Santa Barbara, California, May 1906
Carl Ahrens in May 1906 – Santa Barbara, CA.
Carl Ahrens with son Laird in Corte Madera, California, 1907
Carl Ahrens with son Laird in Corte Madera, California — 1907.
Madonna Ahrens with baby Penelope in Meadowvale, Ontario, 1908
Madonna Ahrens with baby Penelope in Meadowvale, Ontario — 1908.
Martha Madonna Ahrens seated in an ornate chair in a formal studio portrait, circa 1909, wearing a white dress
Martha "Madonna" Ahrens, Carl Ahrens second wife, in her mid-twenties. Likely taken in Toronto around 1909.
Carl Ahrens seated in his studio with an easel and painter's palette, 1910
Carl Ahrens in his studio in 1910.
Carl Ahrens standing in profile holding a cigarette, Toronto, 1911
Carl Ahrens in Toronto in 1911
Carl Ahrens playing violin while Madonna Ahrens sits beside a piano, Toronto, 1914
Carl and Madonna Ahrens in 1914 – Toronto
The Ahrens family at Leith, Ontario, in 1914
The Ahrens family at Leith, Ontario, in 1914. From left to right: Sigrid, Laird, Carl, Madonna, and baby Chloris.
Chloris Ahrens standing against a dark curtain in a studio portrait, 1930
Chloris Ahrens, the youngest child of Carl and Madonna Ahrens, in 1930. Chloris is Kim Bullock's grandmother.
Madonna Ahrens and daughter Sigrid laughing together on steps at Big Trees, Galt, Ontario, 1933
Madonna Ahrens (right) with daughter Sigrid in 1933. This photo was taken at Big Trees in Galt, Ontario.
Carl Ahrens with landscape painter Homer Watson at Alderside Park, New Dundee, Ontario, 1934
Carl Ahrens (right) with his friend, landscape painter Homer Watson. Alderside Park, New Dundee, Ontario — 1934.
Laird Ahrens resting his chin on his hand under a lamp, sepia portrait, 1935
Laird Ahrens in 1935. Laird was the only son of Carl and Madonna Ahrens.
Carl and Madonna Ahrens together outdoors in Galt, Ontario, June 1935
Carl and Madonna Ahrens in June 1935. Galt, Ontario. This is the last known photo of them together. He died in February of 1936.
The Ahrens family gathered at Big Trees in June 1935
Ahrens family at Big Trees in June 1935. From left to right: Carl (1862–1936), Laird (1906–1986), Olive (wife of Laird), Madonna (1882–1976), Sigrid (1911–1998), Stephen (husband of Sigrid), Chloris (1912–1982) holding baby Nonna (1933–2021).